Christmas Reality

My most recent article  for the Beneva Christian newsletter is generating a lot of good discussion. To be sure, I see this as a "step" in the right direction not a definitive "action plan."  I thought it would be good to post here and see what you think.

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The Reality of a Biblical Christmas

What is it that makes Christmas real to you? When Christmas season is over, what will be the reality of your Christmas? The more I look to what the Bible says about Jesus and Christmas, the more I see a blurring of the truth and reality of a Biblical, Christ-like Christmas in our world today.

There is the reality of what Christmas is, which is the incarnation of God through Jesus the Christ. AND THEN, there is the Christmas we have created. Christians have mixed together the Biblical story with our cultural traditions and lost sight of what Christmas really means. The secular world has modified Christmas for their own gain, and Christians regularly do so too.

This is what I mean: The Wisemen brought gifts to Jesus, not to the shepherds, not to Joseph, not to Mary. And yet we will sit around waiting for our gifts to arrive, in Jesus’ name. After gifts have been given and received we pat our-selves on the back and think about just how good of Christians we are, because we celebrate Jesus coming to earth.

Why do you celebrate Jesus coming to earth? Is that something you can articulate and explain? Our celebrations are often centered on serving ourselves. Our time is spent on the material and tangible expressions of Christmas which rarely reflect anything of an amazing and incredible birth of the Son of God. We participate in the Christmas frenzy by materialistic spending and extreme busyness, overextending ourselves and then telling ourselves that we know that the reason for the season is “Jesus.”

True happiness cannot be found in gifts, holiday music, or family gatherings. True happiness can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus birth in history is extraordinary. He was born into this world, not from this world. The human race cannot boast that we created him or gave him greatness. We cannot fathom his true mark on history, nor can we see the real impact of His life in an individual’s heart.

Jesus, at His birth, was bigger, greater, and more powerful than anyone knew then, and is often underestimated today. Jesus was born into this world, and born a King.

The reality of Christmas is Jesus birth. The reality of Christmas is that He came to seek and save that which was lost. The reality of Christmas is for God’s people to worship God and celebrate the word becoming flesh. God has come, to be with us.

This Christmas I commit to spending time and energy pointing others to the amazing and incredible birth of Jesus the Christ. Join me in celebrating a Biblical Christmas reality!

Have a Christ-centered and joyful Christmas!
Pastor Ronn